Portsmouth Garrison church, Medieval church building in Portsmouth, England
The Royal Garrison Church is a building with stone walls, arched windows, and an intact chancel separated from the open-air nave by a modern dividing wall. The structure stands on Penny Street near Grand Parade and is maintained by English Heritage.
The building was constructed in 1212 as part of a hospital for pilgrims and suffered extensive damage during a German air raid in 1941, leaving only the chancel standing. This destruction and subsequent reconstruction heavily shape its appearance today.
The chancel holds oak seating from the 1870s with memorials honoring military figures such as Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. These pieces show how closely the site connects to English naval history.
Access is available Tuesday through Saturday, with guided tours available by arranging in advance with English Heritage. It helps to plan ahead, especially if you want to join a guided tour.
The stained glass windows in the chancel from the 20th century display scenes from World War II and important moments from the site's 800-year history. These modern windows stand in striking contrast to the medieval walls.
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